Colorado 06/29/12 coloradoan.com: A bison at CSU’s Foothills Campus has died from rabies, according to the Larimer County health department. The adult female bison died suddenly Thursday in her outdoor holding pen. The bison likely came into contact with a rabies-infected skunk, rabid fox or other wild animal, officials believe. Seventeen skunks have tested positive for rabies so far in the past two months. The death demonstrates the potential for skunks with rabies to spread this fatal disease to other susceptible animals through bites, said Dr. Adrienne LeBailly, director of the health department, in a news release. Samples from two other female bison from the same herd are being tested for rabies, and laboratory results are expected in the next few weeks. All three bison were part of a breeding project at CSU. The rest of the herd will be vaccinated.

The first rabid skunk identified in the Fort Collins area was found near the bison facility May 4. “Once skunk rabies is established in an area, it cannot be eradicated, and it can spread rabies to other mammals,” LeBailly said. “We may see cases in other species, such as foxes, coyotes, deer and livestock, making it important for owners to vaccinate their animals and keep their shots up to date.” Rabies is always fatal in animals, LeBailly said, and increases the risk of infection in the animals’ owners and handlers. “Prevention of rabies in an exposed person requires costly vaccination and preventive treatment before any symptoms appear; otherwise it is nearly always fatal,” she said. CSU’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital is located several miles from the Foothills Campus, where the bison were housed. All resident animals at Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Colorado State University are vaccinated, according to officials, who recommend all animal owners have their animals vaccinated, as well.

Colorado 06/29/12 nps.gov: News Release – On June 28, 2012, monument staff were notified by wildlife health officials with the National Park Service that a rabbit from the Gates of Lodore Campground at Dinosaur National Monument tested positive for tularemia in laboratory tests. Monument staff noticed several dead rabbits in the vicinity of the Gates of Lodore Campground starting last week and sent a specimen for analysis. Rabbits exhibiting the effects of tularemia, a naturally occurring disease that periodically strikes rabbits, hares, rodents, have only been found in the Gates of Lodore Campground. This campground is in the extreme northern part of Dinosaur approximately 106 miles north of the Canyon Visitor Center in Dinosaur, Colorado and 137 miles north of the Dinosaur Quarry near Jensen, Utah. There have been no confirmed cases or noticeable outbreaks in any other areas of the monument. Since the threat to human health is considered minimal by health officials, the campground and boat launch for the Green River will remain open. Signs, informing visitors of the presence of tularemia will be posted in the campground and monument staff will make contact with visitors to let people know the disease is present in the area. – For complete news release see http://www.nps.gov/dino/parknews/tularemia-confirmed-in-rabbit-population-at-gates-of-lodore-campground.htm

Canada:

Alberta 06/29/12 calgaryherald.com: by Kelly Cryderman – Chronic wasting disease in deer continues its march westward from Saskatchewan, bolstering scientific predictions the animal affliction will reach the outskirts of Calgary and Edmonton within the decade. Even the current low levels of chronic wasting disease (CWD) are painstakingly monitored by the Alberta government because of its relation to bovine spongiform encephalopathy, the neurodegenerative prion disease in cattle, and concern CWD found in deer, elk and moose may someday spread to humans. The most recent provincial data, published Thursday in Sustainable Resource Development’s annual report, indicates CWD was discovered in 33 of 3,194 tested deer in southeastern Alberta last year, the highest number ever found. The wasting disease is also spreading to new parts of the province. Hunters say the government needs to bolster its CWD testing programs to include all of Alberta. “The major concern is it’s spreading into the animals and I don’t think anyone knows whether it can be transferred to humans or not, like BSE,” said Alberta Fish and Game Association president Conrad Fennema.

Deer with CWD.

The numbers are going up, incrementally. Only four deer with CWD were found in 2005, the first year the disease was detected in the province. More recently, 13 infected deer were discovered in 2009, and 20 in 2010. The annual report said since the government halted a winter cull program in areas where sick deer were found, “CWD has steadily increased in prevalence and geographic distribution, including resurgence in areas where previous disease control had reduced its occurrence.” – For complete article see http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Chronic+wasting+disease+deer+continues+steady+march+west/6859203/story.html

North Carolina 06/29/12 Shelby, Cleveland County: At least five members of one family living in an apartment complex are receiving rabies shots after potentially being exposed to rabies. Residents say the Mayfield Townhome apartments are overrun with bats. The property owner said he has hired exterminators to resolve the problem. – See http://www.gastongazette.com/news/bats-72759-apartment-overrun.html

Jerry Genesio

Author of "UNSEEN HAZARDS That Threaten Hunters, Campers, and Hikers: What you should know about pathogens commonly found in wildlife."

This is where wildlife and healthcare professionals, hunters, campers, hikers, anglers, and other outdoor enthusiasts will find interesting information about natural unseen hazards that place them at risk. As my book focused exclusively on Rabies, Tetanus (Lockjaw), Tularemia (Rabbit Fever), Brucellosis (Undulant Fever), Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Borrelia (Lyme Disease), posts regarding these six diseases will be limited to more recent developments and items of interest that were not included or were not available when the book was published in June of 2009. Topics will also include Chronic Wasting Disease, West Nile Virus, Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, and other diseases of particular interest to those who work and play in the great American outdoors.

Don’t Be Afraid – Be Aware!

The Natural Unseen Hazards blog is available to all free of charge and is maintained as a public service.

If you have questions related to pathogens commonly found in wildlife, e.g. the disease caused by a specific pathogen, hosts, vectors, symptoms, treatment, territorial range, etc., please comment here or e-mail to jerrygenesio@gmail.com and I will attempt to provide answers.

"Chance favors the prepared mind."
Louis Pasteur

Unless otherwise noted, images have been provided by the CDC Public Health Image Library, Wikimedia Commons, the National Park Service or other government agencies, Bing.com, and/or Google.com.

"Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less."
Marie Curie

"It's better to look ahead and prepare, than to look back and regret."
Jackie Joyner Kersee